Overview
Background
Michele Sterling is Professor in the Recover Injury Research Centre, Program Lead of the Designing Better Therapies research program and Director of the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) in Better Health Outcomes for Compensable Injury. She is a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and a Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists. She is internationally recognised for her research on whiplash-associated disorders. Michele’s research focusses on the mechanisms underlying the development of chronic pain after injury, predictive algorithms for outcomes and developing effective interventions for musculoskeletal injury and pain. She has received over $13M in research funding from the NHMRC, ARC and industry partners, including 7 NHMRC project grants, 2 CRE's - the most recent as CIA. She has editorial roles with several leading journals and textbooks, and is a widely published author. She has received numerous awards for her research including the University of Queensland Foundation Research Excellence Award in 2005. Michele is an elected member of the leadership Council of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP).
Availability
- Professor Michele Sterling is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Postgraduate Diploma, Curtin University of Technology
- Masters (Coursework), The University of Queensland
Research impacts
Professor Sterling's research findings related to the prediction of outcome following whiplash injury are now included in both national and international Clinical Guidelines for this condition (State Insurance Regulatory Authority, NSW- 2007,2014) and Clinical Pathway for Whiplash Management (South Australia, NHMRC approved). She also aims to translate research to injured people and has achieved this via the development of a consumer information website on whiplash. The website is endorsed by the RACGP and insurance commissions of all states. She has published a consumer information booklet for recovery following whiplash injury. "Whiplash Injury Recovery: a Self Help Guide", published by MAIC (Qld)
Works
Search Professor Michele Sterling’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Evaluation of the Acceptability and Feasibility of Stress Mitigation Education and Support Delivered via Telehealth for People After Road Traffic Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic Injury
Sim, Alison, McNeilage, Amy G., Rebbeck, Trudy, Sterling, Michele, Nicholas, Michael, Donovan, Sarah, Giummarra, Melita J. and Ashton-James, Claire E. (2024). Evaluation of the Acceptability and Feasibility of Stress Mitigation Education and Support Delivered via Telehealth for People After Road Traffic Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic Injury. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. doi: 10.1007/s10926-024-10258-z
2024
Journal Article
Patient acceptance of care of a novel care pathway for those at risk of poor outcomes from musculoskeletal pain: A mixed methods study
Beales, Darren, Boyle, Eileen, Fary, Robyn, Mikhailov, Anton, Saunders, Benjamin, Coates, Sonia, Evans, Kerrie, Simic, Milena, Sterling, Michele, Bennell, Kim and Rebbeck, Trudy (2024). Patient acceptance of care of a novel care pathway for those at risk of poor outcomes from musculoskeletal pain: A mixed methods study. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 74 103178, 103178. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2024.103178
2024
Journal Article
The influence of ‘labels’ for neck pain on recovery expectations following a motor vehicle crash: an online-randomised vignette-based experiment
Xie, Yanfei, Costa, Nathalia, Söderlund, Anne, Zadro, Joshua, Malmström, Eva-Maj, Grant, Genevieve, Jull, Gwendolen, Westergren, Hans, Kasch, Helge, MacDermid, Joy, Treleaven, Julia, Curatolo, Michele, Ravn, Sophie Lykkegaard, Andersen, Tonny, Rebbeck, Trudy and Sterling, Michele (2024). The influence of ‘labels’ for neck pain on recovery expectations following a motor vehicle crash: an online-randomised vignette-based experiment. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 54 (11), 711-720. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2024.12590
2024
Journal Article
Introduction to the biennial review of pain
Sterling, Michele and Davis, Karen Deborah (2024). Introduction to the biennial review of pain. Pain, 165 (11S), S1-S2. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003437
2024
Journal Article
Trajectories of cold but not mechanical sensitivity correspond with disability trajectories after whiplash injury
Farrell, Scott F., Armfield, Nigel R., Kristjansson, Eythor, Niere, Ken, Christensen, Steffan Wittrup McPhee and Sterling, Michele (2024). Trajectories of cold but not mechanical sensitivity correspond with disability trajectories after whiplash injury. Pain. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003461
2024
Journal Article
Leveraging value-based health principles to improve translation and impact of digital psychological interventions for people with chronic pain
Eather, Chloe-Emily, Sterling, Michele, Sullivan, Clair and Elphinston, Rachel A. (2024). Leveraging value-based health principles to improve translation and impact of digital psychological interventions for people with chronic pain. Pain 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003441. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003441
2024
Journal Article
Contesting the BACPAP consortium's consensus – Authors' reply
Kosek, Eva, Nijs, Jo, Chiarotto, Alessandro, Cook, Chad, Danneels, Lieven A, Fernández-de-las-Peñas, César, Hodges, Paul W, Koes, Bart, Louw, Adriaan, Ostelo, Raymond, Scholten-Peeters, Gwendolyne G M, Sterling, Michele, Alkassabi, Othman, Alsobayel, Hana, Beales, Darren, Bilika, Paraskevi, Clark, Jacqui R, De Baets, Liesbet, Demoulin, Christophe, de Zoete, Rutger M J, Elma, Ömer, Gutke, Annelie, Hanafi, Rikard, Boendermaker, Sabina Hotz, Huysmans, Eva, Kapreli, Eleni, Lundberg, Mari, Malfliet, Anneleen, Filho, Ney Meziat ... George, Steven Z (2024). Contesting the BACPAP consortium's consensus – Authors' reply. The Lancet Rheumatology, 6 (7), e419-e420. doi: 10.1016/S2665-9913(24)00130-9
2024
Journal Article
Pre-operative pain pressure threshold association with patient satisfaction following Total Knee Arthroplasty
McAuliffe, Michael, Pillay, Tristan, Jaber, Khalid, Sterling, Michele and O'Leary, Shaun (2024). Pre-operative pain pressure threshold association with patient satisfaction following Total Knee Arthroplasty. Journal of Orthopaedics, 52, 21-27. doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2024.02.017
2024
Journal Article
Serum vitamin D and chronic musculoskeletal pain: a cross-sectional study of 349,221 adults in the UK
Xie, Yanfei, Farrell, Scott F, Armfield, Nigel and Sterling, Michele (2024). Serum vitamin D and chronic musculoskeletal pain: a cross-sectional study of 349,221 adults in the UK. The Journal of Pain, 25 (9) 104557, 104557. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104557
2024
Journal Article
Applying patient and health professional preferences as part of co-designing a new digital brief intervention to reduce risk of prescription opioid harm: a qualitative analysis
Elphinston, Rachel A., Pager, Sue, Fatehi, Farhad, Sterling, Michele, Brown, Kelly, Gray, Paul, Hipper, Linda, Cahill, Lauren, Ziadni, Maisa, Worthy, Peter and Connor, Jason P. (2024). Applying patient and health professional preferences as part of co-designing a new digital brief intervention to reduce risk of prescription opioid harm: a qualitative analysis. JMIR Formative Research. doi: 10.2196/57212
2024
Journal Article
C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with chronic pain independently of biopsychosocial factors
Farrell, Scott F., Armfield, Nigel R., Cabot, Peter J., Elphinston, Rachel A., Gray, Paul, Minhas, Gunjeet, Collyer, Martin R. and Sterling, Michele (2024). C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with chronic pain independently of biopsychosocial factors. The Journal of Pain, 25 (2), 476-496. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.09.008
2024
Journal Article
Longitudinal changes and associations between quantitative sensory testing and psychological factors in whiplash-associated disorders: a systematic review and meta-analyses-based data synthesis
Bellosta-López, Pablo, Doménech-García, Víctor, Ortiz-Lucas, María, Lluch-Gibes, Enrique, Herrero, Pablo, Sterling, Michele and Christensen, Steffan W.M. (2024). Longitudinal changes and associations between quantitative sensory testing and psychological factors in whiplash-associated disorders: a systematic review and meta-analyses-based data synthesis. The Journal of Pain, 25 (1), 12-30. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.07.021
2024
Journal Article
Patient experiences of referral practices and primary care physiotherapy for chronic nonspecific low back pain
Boyle, Eileen M, Evans, Kerrie, Coates, Sonia, Fary, Robyn E, Bennell, Kim, Sterling, Michele, Rebbeck, Trudy and Beales, Darren J (2024). Patient experiences of referral practices and primary care physiotherapy for chronic nonspecific low back pain. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 40 (6), 1326-1342. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2141599
2024
Journal Article
Nociceptive, neuropathic, or nociplastic low back pain? The low back pain phenotyping (BACPAP) consortium's international and multidisciplinary consensus recommendations
Nijs, Jo, Kosek, Eva, Chiarotto, Alessandro, Cook, Chad, Danneels, Lieven A, Fernández-de-las-Peñas, César, Hodges, Paul W, Koes, Bart, Louw, Adriaan, Ostelo, Raymond, Scholten-Peeters, Gwendolyne G M, Sterling, Michele, Alkassabi, Othman, Alsobayel, Hana, Beales, Darren, Bilika, Paraskevi, Clark, Jacqui R, De Baets, Liesbet, Demoulin, Christophe, de Zoete, Rutger M J, Elma, Ömer, Gutke, Annelie, Hanafi, Rikard, Hotz Boendermaker, Sabina, Huysmans, Eva, Kapreli, Eleni, Lundberg, Mari, Malfliet, Anneleen, Meziat Filho, Ney ... George, Steven Z (2024). Nociceptive, neuropathic, or nociplastic low back pain? The low back pain phenotyping (BACPAP) consortium's international and multidisciplinary consensus recommendations. The Lancet Rheumatology, 6 (3). doi: 10.1016/S2665-9913(23)00324-7
2024
Journal Article
Development and use of mobile messaging for individuals with musculoskeletal pain conditions: a scoping review
Armfield, Nigel, Elphinston, Rachel, Liimatainen, Jenna, Scotti Requena, Simone, Eather, Chloe-Emily, Edirippulige, Sisira, Ritchie, Carrie, Robins, Sarah and Sterling, Michele (2024). Development and use of mobile messaging for individuals with musculoskeletal pain conditions: a scoping review. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 12 e55625, e55625. doi: 10.2196/55625
2023
Journal Article
Objectively and subjectively measured physical activity levels in individuals with whiplash associated disorder and aged-matched healthy controls
Ritchie, Carrie, Smits, Esther, Armfield, Nigel and Sterling, Michele (2023). Objectively and subjectively measured physical activity levels in individuals with whiplash associated disorder and aged-matched healthy controls. PLoS One, 18 (10) e0292629, 1-13. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292629
2023
Journal Article
Implementation of a risk-stratified, guideline-based clinical pathway of care to improve health outcomes following whiplash injury (Whiplash ImPaCT): a multicentre, randomized, controlled trial
Rebbeck, Trudy, Bandong, Aila Nica, Leaver, Andrew, Ritchie, Carrie, Armfield, Nigel, Arora, Mohit, Cameron, Ian D., Connelly, Luke B., Daniell, Roy, Gillett, Mark, Ingram, Rodney, Jagnoor, Jagnoor, Kenardy, Justin, Mitchell, Geoffrey, Refshauge, Kathryn, Scotti Requena, Simone, Robins, Sarah and Sterling, Michele (2023). Implementation of a risk-stratified, guideline-based clinical pathway of care to improve health outcomes following whiplash injury (Whiplash ImPaCT): a multicentre, randomized, controlled trial. Pain, 164 (10), 2216-2227. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002940
2023
Book Chapter
N-of-1 research designs
Nikles, J., Hams, A., Sterling, M. and Evans, K. (2023). N-of-1 research designs. Grieve's modern musculoskeletal physiotherapy. (pp. 1-20) London, United Kingdom: Elsevier.
2023
Journal Article
The effects of physical exercise on structural, functional, and biochemical brain characteristics in individuals with chronic whiplash‐associated disorder: a pilot randomized clinical trial
de Zoete, Rutger M. J., McMahon, Katie L., Coombes, Jeff S. and Sterling, Michele (2023). The effects of physical exercise on structural, functional, and biochemical brain characteristics in individuals with chronic whiplash‐associated disorder: a pilot randomized clinical trial. Pain Practice, 23 (7), 759-775. doi: 10.1111/papr.13240
2023
Journal Article
Recommendations for a core outcome measurement set for clinical trials in whiplash associated disorders
Sterling, Michele, Andersen, Tonny, Carroll, Linda, Connelly, Luke, Côté, Pierre, Curatolo, Michele, Grant, Genevieve, Jull, Gwendolen, Kasch, Helge, Ravn, Sophie Lykkegaard, MacDermid, Joy, Malmström, Eva-Maj, Rebbeck, Trudy, Söderlund, Anne, Treleaven, Julia, Walton, David M. and Westergren, Hans (2023). Recommendations for a core outcome measurement set for clinical trials in whiplash associated disorders. Pain, 164 (10), 2265-2272. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002926
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Michele Sterling is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Early interventions to prevent chronic pain after road traffic injury
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Scott Farrell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Neurological factors underlying chronic pain after road traffic injury
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Scott Farrell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Early biopsychosocial intervention for people experiencing traumatic injuries
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shaun O'Leary, Dr Nigel Armfield
-
Doctor Philosophy
Multidimensional recovery after road traffic injury.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nigel Armfield
-
Doctor Philosophy
Psychologically informed physiotherapy for chronic pain after trauma.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Rachel Elphinston
-
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing engagement in digital psychological interventions for patients with chronic non-cancer pain
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Rachel Elphinston
-
Doctor Philosophy
Quantifying the public health burden of road traffic injury.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nigel Armfield
Completed supervision
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
The Effectiveness and Nature of Psychological Interventions Delivered by Physiotherapists for Musculoskeletal Conditions
Principal Advisor
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Whiplash Associated Disorders: A Prospective Investigation of the Effects of Cervical Medial Branch Radiofrequency Neurotomy on Sensory, Motor and Psychological Features
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Gwendolen Jull
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Whiplash-associated disorders: a cross-cultural comparison between Australia and Singapore
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bill Vicenzino
-
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Somatosensory disturbances following whiplash injury: Relationship with signs and symptoms in both acute and chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Gwendolen Jull
-
2018
Master Philosophy
Are mechanical pain thresholds useful in defining symptoms of advanced knee osteoarthritis and predicting patient satisfaction following total knee replacement?
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shaun O'Leary
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Towards a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying lateral epicondylalgia and its management
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bill Vicenzino
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
An Investigation of the Relationship between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Chronic Pain due to Whiplash Injury.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Justin Kenardy
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Headache in the elderly: cervical musculoskeletal, sensory and psychological features
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Gwendolen Jull
Media
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